Climate Policy Intern Jobs in Seattle, WA (NOW HIRING)

Description Closes: The positions are open until 9:00am PDT Friday, August 14, 2026. Status: Temporary two part-time positions, 12 to 16 hours per week for up to nine (9) months, with flexibility to adjust hours and duration; nonexempt FLSA status Salary: $24 per hour with limited benefits Timeline: Positions to begin September 2026 Location: Puget Sound Regional Council, Downtown Seattle, Washington. The positions may be eligible for hybrid work (within the region).

ABOUT PSRC Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC) is the regional transportation, growth management, and economic development planning agency serving Seattle and the central Puget Sound. The thriving region is home to over 4 million people and is one of the nation's fastest growing metropolitan areas. PSRC brings together the region's diverse counties, cities and towns, native Tribes, ports, the state of Washington and civic interests to understand the challenges facing our region's future and make plans for the region to continue to succeed.

The agency serves as the region's Metropolitan Planning Organization and is the regional leader for growth management, transportation, and economic development under state and federal laws. PSRC seeks to support an inclusive region and build a work culture that embraces diversity and promotes equity. Visit www.psrc.org to find out more

PSRC is an equal opportunity employer. The strength of our region is rooted in our diversity. At PSRC, we're striving to create a region where all people have the means to attain the resources and opportunities that improve their quality of life and enable them to reach their full potential, and where differences in life outcomes cannot be predicted by race, class, or any other identity.

We aim to reflect the communities we serve. We encourage you to think broadly about your experiences and skill set for the positions. If you have an interest in urban planning, transportation planning, or data analytics, we encourage individuals from all cultures and communities to apply.

Examples of Duties THE POSITIONS PSRC is seeking two interns to join its Planning Department to perform a variety of tasks in support of VISION 2050, the Regional Transportation Plan and the Regional Economic Strategy. PSRC's Planning Department includes Growth Management Planning, Regional Planning, and Transportation Planning Divisions. The interns will likely work with staff from all of these divisions, as well as staff in PSRC's Communications and Data Departments.

The internship positions are excellent opportunities to gain technical proficiencies, contribute to the development and implementation of regional plans, engage with diverse community members and stakeholders across the region, and help address key regional issues such as social equity, land use and transportation planning, and shared economic prosperity. The positions will assist in various transportation planning, housing analysis, and outreach and engagement activities. In addition, interns may contribute to a range of other planning efforts across the agency related to growth planning, climate, safety, equity and other topics.

Qualified candidates will have excellent analytic and communication skills, as well as a keen interest in advancing a variety of regional planning projects. Responsibilities may include performing quantitative and qualitative research using a variety of demographic, economic, land use, housing, and transportation datasets; preparing written and graphic materials; supporting inclusive engagement activities; and assisting with meetings. Typical Qualifications THE CANDIDATES The ideal candidates will have the ability to: Analyze public policies, planning strategies, and implementation actions to help advance regional plans.

Assist with research projects and/or data analysis related to transportation and growth management planning topics. Engage with members of the public and represent PSRC in public settings, in-person or virtual. Provide support for events, committee and board meetings.

Collect, analyze, and perform quality control measures on regional planning datasets (e.g., Census, surveys, housing, land use, transportation, etc.). Successful candidates should also possess: Excellent organizational and problem-solving skills, as well as aptitude to work independently and as part of a team. Effective oral and written communication skills and the ability to work with the general public, professionals, and agency staff

A specific interest in improving the quality of life for residents in the region related to the work of the Puget Sound Regional Council, including transportation, economic development, housing, and other topics. Familiarity with planning and policy issues related to growth management, transportation, economic development, and local and regional governance is desirable. Familiarity with common software packages to analyze and transform data, such as Excel, ArcGIS, Tableau, OpenStreetMap, or other tools is a plus.

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION Typical ways in which incumbents acquire the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities include: Enrollment in a university degree program in urban planning, geography, public administration, transportation, engineering, or other fields with an intersection to the skillsets described above during the internship. Or, enrollment in a two-year college degree program or other educational program with a strong interest in urban planning, transportation planning, data analytics or a related field during the internship. Or, any combination of lived and educational experience in a related field that would provide the applicant with the desired skills, knowledge, and ability required to perform the job, and a strong interest in pursuing a career in urban planning, transportation planning, data analytics or a related field.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.